Method of operating a base station for a cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A method for operating a base station for a cleaning device is proposed, wherein exclusively by means of a pressure sensor and/or by means of a differential pressure the filling level of the container is determined as state of the base station and additionally at least one further state of the base station is determined and/or wherein on reaching a predefined filling level the maximum number of still possible extraction processes with-out emptying a container is limited.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to EuropeanPatent Application No. 21 192 054.1, filed Aug. 19, 2021, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present technology relates to a method of operating a base stationfor a cleaning device.

When a cleaning process is performed with a cleaning device, such as ahand-held vacuum cleaner or a self-propelled vacuum cleaner robot,material to be vacuumed is picked up and collected in the cleaningdevice.

In order to simplify the emptying of the cleaning devices, base stationsfor cleaning devices are known from the state of the art, which aredesigned to suck out or empty the cleaning devices, in particularautomatically and/or self-actingly.

European Patent Application EP 3 033 982 A1 discloses such a basestation for a hand vacuum cleaner, wherein the base station can beconnected to an optional adapter module in order to connect a cleaningrobot to the base station in addition to the hand vacuum cleaner.

German Patent Application DE 10 2019 004 417 A1 discloses a method forsuctioning out a cleaning device by means of a base station, whereinduring suctioning out a differential pressure across the container isdetermined by means of a plurality of pressure sensors in order todetermine the filling level of the container of the base station. Inorder to take into account that the differential pressure varies notonly with the filling level of the container, but also with the volumeflow, the measured differential pressure is compared with a limit valuedependent on the volume flow.

SUMMARY

One exemplary object of the present technology is to provide animproved, in particular simplified, method for operating a base station,preferably wherein the method enables or supports a simple and/orcost-effective construction of the base station and/or a simple,reliable and/or user-friendly determination of the filling level of thecontainer of the base station.

The problem is solved by a method as disclosed herein.

The method according to the proposal is carried out by means of a basestation for a cleaning device.

A base station in the sense of the present technology is a constructive,preferably stationary or non-movable device for sucking out or emptyinga preferably mobile cleaning device, such as a hand-held vacuum cleanerand/or a self-propelled vacuum cleaning robot, after a cleaning process,in particular in an automated or self-acting manner.

For this purpose, a base station in the sense of the present technologyhas a connection, in particular a fluidic or pneumatic connection, forthe cleaning device, a container for vacuumed material and an optionalblower downstream of the container, in order to convey vacuumed materialfrom the cleaning device into the container of the base station duringan extraction process or extraction operation (also referred to asemptying process/operation or suction process/operation). Optionally,the base station is equipped with a collection filter, in particular afilter bag, which is arranged in the container of the base station.

A cleaning device in the sense of the present technology is preferably avacuum cleaner, for example a hand-held vacuum cleaner, an in particularmovable floor vacuum cleaner, a vacuum cleaner with snout, a rod/stickvacuum cleaner or a (partially) autonomous or self-driving orself-flying robotic vacuum cleaner, hereinafter referred to as acleaning robot.

However, a cleaning device within the sense of the present technologymay also be any other device for cleaning and/or maintaining surfaces,in particular floors. For example, lawn mowing devices or robots arealso to be understood as cleaning devices in the sense of the presenttechnology.

A cleaning device in the sense of the present technology preferably hasa chamber in which vacuumed material can be accommodated/received duringa cleaning process by means of the cleaning device.

The cleaning device can be connected to the base station after use orafter a cleaning process in order—in the case of a battery-operatedcleaning device—to (electrically) charge the cleaning device, preferablyautomatically or in a self-acting manner, and/or to empty or suck out—inparticular the chamber of the cleaning device—preferably automaticallyor in a self-acting manner during an extraction process.

Consequently, the base station is preferably designed to suck vacuumedmaterial from a cleaning device into a container of the base stationduring an extraction/emptying/suction process.

With each extraction process, the container and/or the collection filterfills with vacuumed material. Therefore, the flow resistance through thecontainer and/or the collection filter also increases with eachextraction process, so that only a reduced pressure, in particularstatic and/or dynamic pressure, can be built up by means of the blowerdownstream of the container. Consequently, the pressure, in particularstatic and/or dynamic pressure, or the differential pressure to the(immediate) surroundings can be used as an indicator for the amount ofvacuumed material in the container and/or collection filter.

With increasing filling level/decreasing differential pressure, thecleaning device is not or no longer sufficiently sucked out.

If the determined differential pressure reaches or falls below a(critical)—empirically determined and electronically stored—limit value,a predefined filling level of the container and/or a filling level ofthe container corresponding to the limit value is reached and/or thecontainer and/or the collection filter is full or almost full, so thatthe container must be emptied and/or the collection filterchanged/replaced.

It is therefore provided that the base station comprises (exactly) onepressure sensor, preferably wherein the pressure sensor is arranged inparticular immediately downstream to the container and/or the collectingfilter and/or the blower and/or in the flow channel between thecontainer/the collecting filter/the blower and an outlet opening of thebase station, in particular in order to measure or determine the(static) pressure, preferably the absolute pressure or the differentialpressure with respect to the (immediate) surroundings, downstream of thecontainer and/or the collection filter and/or the blower and/or in theflow channel between the container/the collection filter/the blower andthe outlet opening.

Preferably, the filling level of the container determined in this way iscommunicated or displayed/indicated to a user—in particular duringand/or after an extraction process. For example, it is possible toindicate or inform a user when the measured differential pressurereaches or falls below the limit value and/or the container is full oralmost full and must be emptied or the collection filter replaced.

In the proposed method for operating the base station for a cleaningdevice, in particular a vacuum cleaner, vacuumed material is sucked outof the cleaning device during an extraction process—in particular bymeans of the blower—into the container of the base station, wherein—inparticular during the extraction process and/or when the blower isswitched on—downstream to the container and/or to the collection filterand/or to the blower and/or in the flow channel between thecontainer/the collection filter/the blower and the outlet opening of thebase station, by means of the pressure sensor of the base station, adifferential pressure measurement is carried out and/or the differentialpressure with respect to the (immediate) surroundings is determined, inorder to determine the filling level of the container, in particularexclusively on the basis of the differential pressure.

The differential pressure is preferably the difference between thepressure, in particular the static and/or dynamic pressure, or the(static) absolute pressure (immediately) downstream to the container, inparticular (immediately) downstream to the blower, and the ambientpressure.

The ambient pressure is preferably the (static) absolute pressure or airpressure or atmospheric pressure in the (immediate)vicinity/surroundings of the base station.

The proposed method is characterized in that when a predefined fillinglevel of the container and/or collection filter is reached and/or when a(critical) limit value is reached or undershot, the maximum number ofextraction processes still possible by means of the base station withoutemptying the container and/or without changing the collection filter islimited, in particular wherein the (further) operation of the basestation is automatically locked/blocked/disabled when the maximum numberof extraction processes with the container and/or the collection filterin the predefined filling level without emptying the container and/orwithout changing the collection filter is reached.

The predefined filling level is reached, for example, when more than 80%or 90% of the container and/or collection filter is filled with vacuumedmaterial.

In this way, it is prevented that the base station is operatedpermanently or over a longer period of time with a full container and/orfull collection filter and that the base station is contaminated ordamaged.

Furthermore, by means of the proposed method, it is ensured that thesuction power of the base station and thus also the cleaning power ofthe cleaning device is maintained.

Namely, when the cleaning device is not successfully sucked out, thiscan lead to a degradation/impairment of the cleaning device'sperformance and/or cleaning capability, which can promote device wearand reduce the life of the cleaning device.

Preferably, a user is indicated or informed that the predefined fillingstate of the container has been reached and/or that only a certainnumber of extraction processes with the container without emptyingand/or without changing the collection filter are possible.

In this way, the user is informed at an early stage that the containerneeds to be emptied and/or the collection filter needs to be changedsoon, in particular without the operation of the base station beingblocked as soon as this is communicated for the first time.

Preferably, when the maximum number of extraction processes with thecontainer in the predefined filling state and/or without changing thecollection filter has been reached, a new/further extraction process isonly carried out by a (manual) user input. In particular, a new/furtherextraction process is only possible by a (manual) user release when themaximum number of extraction processes with the container in thepredefined filling state has been reached and/or the operation of thebase station has been (automatically) blocked. In this way, the risk of(accidentally) operating the base station with a filled container and/orcollection filter is reduced.

According to a preferred method variant, after user input or release bythe user, it is checked by means of the pressure sensor and/or by meansof a (new/further) pressure measurement whether the container has(actually) been emptied and/or the collection filter has (actually) beenchanged, in particular by the differential pressure to the surroundingsbeing (again) determined/measured and evaluated/compared with the limitvalue.

Preferably, the operation of the base station is automatically blocked(again) if the differential pressure is not above the limit value and/orthe container has not been emptied and/or the collection filter has notbeen changed. It is thus provided that the user input is verified bymeans of the pressure sensor and/or a (new/further) pressuremeasurement.

When the container has been emptied and/or the collection filter hasbeen changed, and/or the differential pressure is (again) above thelimit value, the extraction process is completed or continued.

In the proposed method, preferably only or exactly one pressure sensoris used and/or exclusively the measurement results of (exactly) onepressure sensor are evaluated and/or used to determine the filling levelof the container and/or the collection filter. In this way, significantcost savings can be achieved compared to filling level determinationwith a plurality of sensors.

A pressure sensor in the sense of the present technology is a measuringdevice for measuring or determining the (static) pressure in a medium,such as air. A pressure sensor can be designed as an absolute pressuresensor or a differential or relative pressure sensor.

An absolute pressure sensor measures the (static) pressure compared to avacuum as a reference (absolute pressure), preferably wherein a vacuumis present at a pressure of less than 300 mbar.

A differential pressure sensor measures the difference between twoabsolute pressures (differential pressure).

A relative pressure sensor measures the (static) pressure compared tothe atmosphere/surroundings/ambient or the atmospheric air pressure,preferably wherein the atmospheric air pressure is 1013 mbar.Consequently, a relative pressure sensor in the sense of the presenttechnology is a differential pressure sensor that measures thedifference of an absolute pressure to the atmospheric air pressure.

A pressure sensor in the sense of the present technology preferably hasexactly one measuring location/measuring point in order to determine ormeasure the (static) pressure at the measuring location/measuring point.

A pressure sensor in the sense of the present technology can bedesigned, for example, as a piezoresistive, piezoelectric, capacitiveand/or inductive pressure sensor.

In the proposed method, it is possible to measure the absolute pressuredownstream of the container and/or blower and/or in the flow channelbetween the container or blower and the outlet opening before theextraction process and/or when the blower is deactivated andadditionally during the extraction process and/or when the blower isactivated, in order to subsequently determine the differential pressure.The absolute pressure downstream of the container and/or blower and/orin the flow channel between the container or blower and the outletopening before the extraction process and/or when the blower isdeactivated corresponds namely to the ambient pressure.

Alternatively, it is possible to directly measure the differentialpressure to the (immediate) surroundings/ambient downstream to thecontainer and/or in the flow channel between the container and theoutlet opening by means of the pressure sensor, in particular if thepressure sensor is designed as a differential pressure sensor orrelative pressure sensor.

According to a further, also independently realizable aspect of thepresent technology, exclusively by means of the pressure sensor, i.e.without the use of further sensors and/or other measurement technology,and/or exclusively by means of the (determined) differential pressure tothe (immediate) surroundings, i.e. without additional measured values,the filling level of the container is determined/detected/identified asa (first) state/condition of the base station and additionally at leastone further state/condition, in particular at least one possiblemalfunction, of the base station or of individual components of the basestation, such as the intake tract, the outlet filter, the collectionfilter and/or the flap, is determined/detected/identified.

Preferably, the differential pressure determined or measured by means ofthe pressure sensor is compared with a limit value—in particularempirically determined and/or electronically stored—in order, on the onehand, to determine the filling level of the container and/or thecollection filter and, on the other hand, to determine or identify atleast one further state/condition and/or a possible malfunction of thebase station.

Preferably, it is determined/detected/identified exclusively by means ofthe pressure sensor and/or differential pressure—as a furtherstate/condition and/or malfunction of the base station—whether or whenthe intake tract of the base station and/or the flow path upstream tothe container is clogged/blocked. In this case, no or no large pressure,in particular static and/or dynamic pressure, can be built up by meansof the blower, so that the differential pressure is (strongly) reducedor almost zero compared to the fault-free operation of the base station.

Additionally or alternatively, it is determined/detected/identifiedexclusively by means of the pressure sensor and/or the differentialpressure—in particular as a further state/condition of the base stationand/or as a malfunction of the base station—whether or when the outletfilter is not or not correctly inserted. Also in this case, no or nolarge pressure, in particular static and/or dynamic pressure, can bebuilt up by means of the blower, so that the differential pressure isreduced or almost zero compared to the fault-free operation of the basestation.

Additionally or alternatively, it is determined/detected/identifiedexclusively by means of the pressure sensor and/or the differentialpressure—in particular as a further state/condition of the base stationand/or as a malfunction of the base station —whether or when thecollection filter in the container is not or not correctly inserted, theflap of the container is not closed and/or the cleaning device is not ornot correctly connected to the base station. In this case, the pressure,in particular static and/or dynamic pressure, built up by the blower isvery high due to the lower flow resistances or the incoming additionalair compared to the fault-free operation of the base station, so thatthe determined differential pressure is increased compared to thefault-free operation of the base station.

The aforementioned states/conditions/malfunctions are preferably eachassigned at least one—in particular empirically determined and/orelectronically stored—limit value, in particular two limit values or apressure range, for example in a (digital) database.

The determination/detection/identification of thestates/conditions/malfunctions is preferably performed by comparing thedetermined differential pressure—in particular automatically,mathematically and/or metrologically—with the limit values and/orpressure ranges and/or by assigning the determined differential pressureto a pressure range and thus to a state/condition and/or amalfunction/failure.

With a particularly accurate and sensitive pressure sensor, even smallchanges in differential pressure can be detected, ensuring clearidentification/determination of the differentstates/conditions/malfunctions.

Thus, with the proposed method, it is possible to reliably identify boththe filling level of the container and any faults/failures/malfunctionsin the operation of the base station by means of only a single pressuresensor, i.e. with an extremely low level of equipment or metrologicaleffort.

Preferably, the operation of the base station, in particular theextraction process, is (automatically) interrupted when a (critical)state/condition/fault has been identified, in particular to preventcontamination and/or damage to the base station due to faulty operation.

Preferably, the identified state/condition/fault is displayed orcommunicated to a user so that the fault can be corrected.

The aforementioned aspects, features, method steps and method variantsof the technology as well as the aspects, features method steps andmethod variants of the present technology resulting from the claims andthe following description can in principle be realized independently ofeach other, but also in any combination or sequence.

Further aspects, advantages, features and characteristics of the presenttechnology result from the claims and the following description of apreferred embodiment with reference to accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a cleaning system with a base stationand a plurality of cleaning devices connected thereto;

FIG. 2 is a schematic pneumatic diagram of the cleaning system accordingto FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a proposed method for operating thebase station and/or cleaning system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the partly not to scale, only schematic figures, the same referencesigns are used for the same, identical or similar parts and components,wherein corresponding, or comparable properties, characteristics andadvantages are achieved, even if a repeated description is omitted.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a cleaning system 1 with a base station 10.

The illustration according to FIG. 1 shows the cleaning system 1/thebase station 10 in the installed/mounted state or in the usual positionof use, in which the base station /10 (at the rear) rests or is fastenedto a wall 2 and preferably (at the bottom/floor side) rests on a floor 3or ends or is arranged close to the floor 3.

The cleaning system 1 is preferably equipped with a plurality ofcomponents.

Preferably, the cleaning system 1 has—in addition to the base station10—at least one (mobile) cleaning device 20, 30, wherein the cleaningdevice 20, 30 can be coupled to the base station 10 fluidically, inparticular pneumatically, and/or electrically, in particular in order toempty/suck out and/or electrically charge the cleaning device 20, 30, aswill be explained in more detail below.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the cleaning system 1 has aplurality of, here two different, cleaning devices 20, 30, wherein inthis case a first cleaning device 20 is designed as a cleaning robot anda second cleaning device 30 is designed as a hand vacuum cleaner.However, it is also possible for the cleaning system 1 to have only onecleaning device 20, 30 and/or for the base station 10 to be used withonly one cleaning device 20, 30.

Individual or a plurality of aspects, advantages, features, properties,characteristics and method steps, which are described in the followingonly in connection with one of the cleaning devices 20, 30, arepreferably also provided in the other one of the cleaning devices 20,30, so that corresponding explanations also apply to the other one ofthe cleaning devices 20, 30, even if they are not repeated below.

The cleaning system 1 is used in particular indoors or for indoorcleaning. However, it is also possible in principle to use the cleaningsystem 1 in outdoor spaces/areas or to use it for cleaning outdoorspaces or areas.

As already explained at the outset, the base station 10 is designed for(electrical) charging and/or for (automated) emptying or sucking out ofone or more cleaning devices 20, 30. For this purpose, the cleaningdevice 20, 30 is coupled to the base station 10, whereby a fluidic, inparticular pneumatic, and/or electrical connection isestablished—preferably automatically—between the base station 10 and thecleaning device 20, 30.

The connection/coupling of the cleaning device 20, 30 to the basestation 10 can be performed manually—for example, in the case of a handvacuum cleaner—or automatically or self-actuated—for example, in thecase of a cleaning robot. In the embodiments shown, it is provided thatthe first cleaning device 20 connects to the base station 10automatically or in a self-acting manner after a cleaning process andthe second cleaning device 30 is hooked/hung into the base station 10manually or by a user in order to electrically charge and/or suck outthe cleaning devices 20, 30 by means of the base station 10.

The base station 10 is preferably elongated/oblong and/or box-shaped orcabinet-like.

It is preferred that the base station 10 is fixed or immovably connectedto the wall 2. However, the base station 10 can in principle also bedesigned as a free-standing and/or mobile or movable device.

Preferably, the base station 10 is mounted on the wall 2 in such a waythat, when installed/mounted, the base station 10 rests on the floor 3and lies flat against the wall 2. However, other solutions are alsopossible here, in particular in which the base station 10 in theinstalled/mounted state is arranged at a distance from the floor 3and/or suspended from the wall 2.

The base station 10 is preferably of multi-part and/or modularconstruction. Especially preferably, the base station 10 has a pluralityof modules or can be expanded/upgraded by one or more modules.

Preferably, the base station 10 has a bottom module 40 and/or a headmodule 50, in particular wherein the head module 50 is arranged(directly) above the bottom module 40 in the position of use or in theinstalled/mounted state.

Preferably, the bottom module 40 is configured for the electrical and/orfluidical connecting of the first cleaning device 20 and/or the headmodule 50 is configured for the electrical and/or fluidical connectingof the second cleaning device 30.

It is thus provided to (electrically) charge and/or to empty the firstcleaning device 20 by means of the bottom module 40 and/or the secondcleaning device 30 by means of the head module 50, in particular fromthe side, from below and/or from above.

FIG. 1 shows the cleaning system 1 and/or the cleaning devices 20, 30 inthe coupling or connection position in which the cleaning devices 20, 30are electrically and pneumatically connected to the base station 10.

Preferably, the base station 10 has a (first) electrical connection 40Efor the (first) cleaning device 20 and/or a (second) electricalconnection 50E for the (second) cleaning device 30 for electricallyconnecting the base station 10 to the cleaning device 20, 30 and forcharging an accumulator 20A, 30A of the cleaning device 20, 30, which isonly schematically indicated. Preferably, the first electricalconnection 40E is located in the bottom module 40 and the secondelectrical connection 50E in the head module 50.

The electrical connection 40E, 50E is preferably formed by one or moreelectrical contacts or—in particular for wireless power transmission—byone or more coils.

The cleaning device 20, 30 has an electrical connection 20E, 30Ecorresponding to the electrical connection 40E or 50E, which ispreferably formed by one or more electrical contacts or—in particularfor wireless power transmission—by one or more coils on an outer side ofthe cleaning device 20, 30.

The base station 10, in particular the bottom module 40, is equippedwith an optional power supply unit 10A—preferably with correspondingcharging electronics—and/or a power connection 10B for connection to apower supply network or a mains/grid, which is only indicatedschematically, in order to enable a power supply to the (first) cleaningdevice 20, in particular via the first electrical connection 40E, and/orto the (second) cleaning device 30, in particular via the secondelectrical connection 50E, as indicated by dash lines in FIG. 1 .

Preferably, the base station 10, in particular the bottom module 40,forms a receiving space 40A for the (first) cleaning device 20 to atleast partially accommodate/receive the (first) cleaning device 20. The(first) cleaning device 20 can thus at least partially enter or driveinto the bottom module 40 to thereby establish a fluidic and/orelectrical connection with the base station 10 and/or the bottom module40.

The base station 10, in particular the head module 50, is preferablydesigned to hold and/or partially accommodate/receive the (second)cleaning device 30. In particular, the (second) cleaning device 30 canbe attached to the head module 50 and/or suspended/hung/hooked in thehead module 50.

Preferably, the base station 10, in particular the head module 50, has aholder 10C for holding the (second) cleaning device 30, in particular ina form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner and/or above or at a distancefrom the floor 3.

In the embodiment shown, the holder 10C is formed by a hook, the(second) cleaning device 30 having a bracket corresponding to the hookfor suspending the cleaning device 30. However, other solutions are alsopossible here.

The base station 10, in particular the head module 50, has an, inparticular box shaped, housing 50A, preferably wherein the housing 50Ahas or forms the holder 10C.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the electrical connection 50E isintegrated into the holder 10C.

Preferably, the electrical and/or fluidic connection between the basestation 10, in particular the head module 50, and the (second) cleaningdevice 30 is established by or at the same time as attaching/hangingand/or mechanically coupling the cleaning device 30 to the base station10 or the head module 50.

The base station 10 preferably has a (first) fluidic, in particularpneumatic, connection 40F for the (first) cleaning device 20 and/or a(second) fluidic, in particular pneumatic, connection 50F for the(second) cleaning device 30 in order to connect the base station 10fluidically, in particular pneumatically, to the cleaning device 20, 30,preferably wherein the first fluidic connection 40F is arranged in thebottom module 40 and the second fluidic connection 50F is arranged inthe head module 50.

The fluidic connection 40F, 50F of the base station 10 is preferablyformed by a connecting piece, an opening or the like, for example in afoot part 40B of the bottom module 40 and/or on a front side 50C of thehead module 50, and/or is located directly next to the electricalconnection 40E, 50E.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fluidic connection 50F ofthe head module 50 is integrated into the holder 10C for the (second)cleaning device 30.

It is preferred that the cleaning device 20, 30 connects bothfluidically and electrically to the base station 10 (automatically) whenit moves/drives onto the foot part 40B and/or against the base station10, in particular the bottom module 40, and/or when it is hooked/hunginto the base station 10, in particular the head module 50, and/or whenit is in the connection position.

The base station 10, in particular the head module 50, preferably has acontainer 50G, a collection filter 50H, a fan or blower 50J and/or anoutlet filter or exhaust air filter 50K, preferably wherein the fluidicconnection 40F, 50F is fluidically connected to the container 50G, thecollection filter 50H, the blower 50J and/or the outlet filter 50K.

The collection filter 50H is preferably a (disposable) filter bag or a(disposable) filter cartridge, which is preferably exchanged or replacedby a new collection filter or a new filter cartridge after use or when acertain filling quantity is reached.

Preferably, the collection filter 50H is arranged within the container50G and/or attached to an inlet of the container 50G.

The outlet filter 50K is preferably a particle filter and/or suspendedmatter filter.

The outlet filter 50K is preferably located downstream of the container50G, the collection filter 50H and/or the blower 50J and/or attached toan outlet opening 10L (not shown in FIG. 1 ) of the base station 10.

By connecting the cleaning device 20, 30 to the base station 10, afluidic connection is preferably established between an onlyschematically indicated chamber 20C, 30C of the cleaning device 20, 30and the base station 10 and/or the head module 50, in particular thecontainer 50G and/or the blower 50J.

By means of the blower 50J, it is possible to convey, in particular tosuck, a fluid, in particular vacuumed material or air together withvacuumed material, from the cleaning device 20, 30, in particular thechamber 20C, 30C, to the base station 10 or into its container 50G,and/or to collect or separate the vacuumed material in the container 50Gand/or the collection filter 50H. Subsequently, the cleaned air isdischarged/released to the surroundings via the outlet filter 50K.

In the connection position of the cleaning device 20, 30, the cleaningdevice 20, 30 is thus fluidically, particularly preferably bothfluidically and electrically, connected to the base station 10,particularly in such a way that the chamber 20C, 30C of the cleaningdevice 20, 30 can be emptied and/or the accumulator 20A, 30A can becharged. In the connection position, a maintenance process, inparticular an extraction process and/or charging process, of thecleaning device 20, 30 can be carried out by means of the base station10.

For example, in the connection position and/or during a maintenance orextraction process/operation (or emptying process/operation or suctionprocess/operation), vacuumed material can be sucked from the chamber 20Cof the first cleaning device 20 via the fluidic connection 40F of thebottom module 40 and/or vacuumed material can be sucked from the chamber30C of the second cleaning device 30 via the fluidic connection 50F ofthe head module 50, and the vacuumed material can be transferred (inboth cases) to the (common) container 50G and/or the collection filter50H. In this way, manual emptying of the cleaning devices 20, 30 can beomitted.

The container 50G and/or the collection filter 50H preferably has avolume that is larger than the volume of the chamber 20C, 30C of thecleaning device 20, 30, preferably by double or triple the size, so thatthe entire contents of the chamber 20C, 30C can be collected/received bythe container 50G and/or a plurality of extraction processes can becarried out without having to empty the container 50G and/or change thecollection filter 50H.

The container 50G preferably has a volume of more than 1 l or 1.5 l,especially preferably more than 2 l or 3 .

Preferably, the base station 10, in particular the head module 50, isequipped with a flap 10D to open and/or empty the base station 10, inparticular the container 50G, and/or to change the collection filter50H.

In the embodiment shown, the flap 10D is designed as a removable orpivotable cover/lid. However, it is also possible, for example, toprovide the front side 50C with the flap 10D.

The container 50G and/or collection filter 50H has an inlet, wherein inthe illustrated embodiment both cleaning devices 20, 30 and/or bothfluidic connections 40F, 50F are connected to the inlet fluidicallyand/or via corresponding lines.

Preferably, the base station 10 has an optional (controlled) shut-offapparatus 10E, such as a shut-off flap or a (butterfly) valve, tocontrol the air flow and/or the air routing/air conduction. Inparticular, by means of the shut-off apparatus 10E, it is possible toconnect selectively the first cleaning device 20/the fluidic connection40F or the second cleaning device 30/the fluidic connection 50Ffluidically to the container 50G and/or the collection filter 50H.

The base station 10 preferably has a control device 10S which controlsthe (electrical) charging and/or the emptying of the cleaning device 20,30. For this purpose, the control device 10S is preferably electricallyconnected to the (first) electrical connection 40E, the (second)electrical connection 50E, the power supply unit 10A, the blower 50Jand/or the shut-off apparatus 10E, as indicated by dash lines in FIG. 1.

In the following, the air routing/air guidance/air conduction of thecleaning system 1 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2 .Subsequently, the proposed method for sucking out the cleaning device 30is explained with reference to FIG. 3 .

In the following, only the air guidance in the cleaning device 30 isdescribed. However, a corresponding air guidance is also possible orprovided or designed in the other cleaning device 20, as indicated inparticular by corresponding symbols in FIG. 2 .

The cleaning device 30 has an intake/suction opening 30B, anintake/suction line 30D, a fluidic connection 30F, a feed/supply/inletline 30G, a connecting line 30H, a fan or blower 30J, an outlet line30L, an outlet opening 30N, and/or a suction/extraction/emptying line30P.

The lines 30D, 30G, 30H, 30L, 30P are designed as air-carrying,air-guiding and/or pneumatic lines in the cleaning device 30 and enablethe transport of a medium, in particular air, in the cleaning device 30.

The openings 30B, 30N are designed as apertures, openings or throughholes in the housing of the cleaning device 30 and enable air exchangebetween the cleaning device 30, in particular the chamber 30C, and thesurroundings.

In the cleaning mode of the cleaning device 30, for example when thecleaning device 30 is used for cleaning the floor 3, air and/or materialto be vacuumed or air together with material to be vacuumed can besucked from the surroundings into the cleaning device 30, in particularthe chamber 30C, by means of the blower 30J via the intake/suctionopening 30B and/or intake/suction line 30D.

In the chamber 30C, the vacuumed material is separated from the air inthe cleaning mode of the cleaning device 30, for example by means of afilter (not shown), so that the (cleaned) air can be released back tothe surroundings, in particular via the connecting line 30H, the blower30J, the outlet line 30L and the outlet opening 30N.

Consequently, the chamber 30C is preferably fluidically arranged betweenthe intake opening 30B/the intake line 30D on one side and the blower30J/the outlet opening 30N/the connecting line 30H on the other side.

The air routing and/or the flow direction is changed at least partiallyor in sections during an extraction process or during sucking out bymeans of the base station 10 compared to the cleaning mode. Inparticular, the flow direction in the chamber 30C is reversed inextraction mode (preferably also referred to as emptying mode or suctionmode) compared to cleaning mode.

In the following, a distinction is therefore made between the cleaningmode and the suction/emptying/extraction mode of the cleaning device 30.In FIG. 2 , the preferred flow direction in the extraction mode orduring a maintenance process or extraction process is shown by arrows.

The cleaning mode is the mode in which the cleaning device 30 is induring cleaning and/or while performing a cleaning process.

A cleaning process or cleaning operation in the sense of the presenttechnology is preferably a process/operation in which cleaning isperformed by means of the cleaning device 30 and/or in which thecleaning device 30 cleans and/or vacuums a surface, such as the floor 3.

Usually, in the cleaning mode and/or during a cleaning process, thecleaning device 30 is not connected to and/or is spaced from the basestation 10.

In particular, in the cleaning mode of the cleaning device 30, theblower 30J is activated or switched on, in particular so that air flowsfrom the intake opening 30B to the outlet opening 30N. Particularlypreferably, in the cleaning mode, air flows from the intake opening 30Bvia the intake line 30D and/or the feed line 30G into the chamber 30Cand from the chamber 30C via the connecting line 30H and the blower 30Jto the outlet line 30L and/or outlet opening 30N.

Thus, the intake opening 30B and the intake line 30D form the intaketract of the cleaning device 30 in the cleaning mode.

The extraction mode is the mode in which the cleaning device 30 is induring emptying/extracting/sucking out by means of the base station 10and/or during a maintenance process or extraction process.

A maintenance process or maintenance operation in the sense of thepresent technology is preferably a process/operation in which thecleaning device 30 is maintained by means of the base station 10. Amaintenance process may be an extraction process and/or a chargingprocess. In particular, the cleaning device 30 can be at leastpartially, preferably completely, emptied/sucked out by a maintenanceprocess and/or an extraction process, and the cleaning device 30 can beat least partially, preferably completely, charged by a maintenanceprocess and/or a charging process.

In the maintenance mode and/or extraction mode and/or during amaintenance process, the cleaning device 30, in particular the fluidicconnection 30F and/or the electrical connection 30E of the cleaningdevice 30, is connected to the base station 10, in particular thefluidic connection 40F and/or the electrical connection 40E of the basestation 10.

In particular, in the maintenance mode and/or extraction mode and/orduring a maintenance process of the cleaning device 30, the blower 30Jof the cleaning device 30 is deactivated or switched off.

During an extraction process, the blower 50J of the base station 10 isactivated or switched on.

Sucking out/emptying/extracting is preferably performed via the fluidicconnection 30F and/or the extraction/suction/emptying line 30P of thecleaning device 30. In particular, it is possible to empty/suck out thechamber 30C by means of the base station 10 via the fluidic connection30F and/or the extraction line 30P.

The fluidic connection 30F is preferably formed by a connection piece,an opening or the like in the cleaning device 30, in particular in thehousing of the cleaning device 30.

Preferably, the fluidic connection 30F is fluidically connected to thechamber 30C via the extraction line 30P.

In the embodiment shown, the extraction line 30P is fluidicallyconnected to the chamber 30C via the feed line 30G. However, othersolutions are also possible, for example in which the extraction line30P opens directly into the chamber 30C.

Preferably, the cleaning device 30 has a suction/emptying/extractionvalve 30Q to control and/or change the air flow and/or the airrouting/guidance in the cleaning device 30, in particular tochange/switch between the cleaning mode and the extraction mode.

Preferably, by means of the extraction valve 30Q, selectively the intakeopening 30B or the connection 30F is fluidically connectable to thechamber 30C.

In the cleaning mode, the intake opening 30B is fluidically connected tothe chamber 30C to allow air to be drawn in from the surroundings and/orto be fed/conducted/directed into the chamber 30C via the feed line 30G.Preferably, the connection 30F is fluidically separated from the chamber30C in the cleaning mode.

In the extraction mode, the connection 30F is fluidically connected tothe chamber 30C to direct/conduct air and/or vacuumed material fromchamber 30C and the optional feed line 30G to the connection 30F/basestation 10. Preferably, the intake opening 30B is fluidically separatedfrom the chamber 30C in the extraction mode.

Preferably, (ambient) air flows from the outlet opening 30N to thefluidic connection 30F during emptying/sucking out and/or in extractionmode.

Particularly preferably, in the extraction mode, air flows into thechamber 30C via the outlet line 30L, the blower 30J and/or theconnecting line 30H, and from the chamber 30C via the feed line 30G andthe extraction line 30P through the cleaning device 30 and/or to thefluidic connection 30F and/or into the base station 10.

Consequently, the outlet opening 30N and the outlet line 30L form theintake tract of the cleaning device 30 in the extraction mode.

The extraction valve 30Q can be designed, for example, as a shut-offflap, butterfly valve, directional valve or switching valve.

The cleaning device 30 preferably comprises a control apparatus 30S, adata processing apparatus 30R and/or a communication apparatus 30K,preferably wherein the control apparatus 30S, the data processingapparatus 30R, the communication apparatus 30K, the blower 30J and/orthe extraction valve 30Q are electrically connected to each other, asindicated by dash lines in FIG. 2 .

The control apparatus 30S is preferably designed to control the blower30J, in particular to activate or deactivate it and/or to adjust thepower of the blower 30J.

In addition, the control apparatus 30S is preferably configured tocontrol the extraction valve 30Q, in particular to adjust the switchposition of the extraction valve 30Q.

The chamber 30C is preferably equipped with a filter (not shown) toseparate vacuumed material, such as dust, from the air in the chamber30C and/or in the filter during cleaning or in cleaning mode.

The base station 10 has a feed/supply/inlet line 10G, a blower/fan line10H, an outlet line 10J and/or an outlet opening 10L, preferably whereinthe container 50G is fluidically connected via the feed line 10G to thefluidic connection(s) 40F and/or 50F and/or via the blower line 10Hand/or the outlet line 10J to the outlet opening 10L.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base station 10 has a firstconnection line 10N and a second connection line 10P, wherein the firstfluidic connection 40F is fluidically connected or connectable to thefeed line 10G and/or the container 50G via the first connection line 10Nand the second fluidic connection 50F is fluidically connected orconnectable to the feed line 10G and/or the container 50G via the secondconnection line 10P.

The lines 10G, 10H, 10J, 10N and/or 10P are designed as air-carrying,air-guiding and/or pneumatic lines in the base station 10 and enable thetransport of a medium, in particular air, in the base station 10.

Consequently, the fluidic connection(s) 40F and/or 50F, the connectionline(s) 10N, 10P and the feed line 10G form the intake tract of the basestation 10.

The outlet opening 10L is designed as an opening, aperture or throughhole in the housing of the base station 10 and allows air exchangebetween the base station 10, in particular the container 50G, and thesurroundings. Preferably, the outlet filter 50K (not shown in FIG. 2 )is arranged in the outlet opening 10L or immediately upstream of theoutlet opening 10L.

As already explained, by means of the optional shut-off apparatus 10E,selectively the fluidic connection 40F or the fluidic connection 50F isfluidically connectable to the container 50G.

The blower 50J is preferably fluidically connected via the blower line10H to the container 50G and/or via the outlet line 10J to the outletopening 10L and/or the surroundings. In particular, the blower 50J isarranged (directly) downstream to the container 50G and/or fluidicallybetween the container 50G and the outlet opening 10L.

Preferably, the feed line 10G is connected or attached to an inlet ofthe container 50G and the blower line 10H is connected or attached to anoutlet of the container 50G.

The base station 10 preferably comprises the control device 10S, a dataprocessing device 10R, a communication device 10K and/or a pressuresensor 10M, in particular exactly one pressure sensor 10M, preferablywherein the control device 10S, the data processing device 10R, thecommunication device 10K, the pressure sensor 10M, the shut-offapparatus 10E and/or the blower 50J are electrically connected to eachother.

By means of the pressure sensor 10M, it is possible to determine ormeasure the (static) (absolute) pressure and/or a pressure change in thebase station 10, in particular in the outlet line 10J.

Preferably, the base station 10, in particular the pressure sensor 10M,has (exactly) one (pressure) measuring location, namely in the outletline 10J and/or downstream to the container 50G and/or the blower 50J.

In particular, it is provided that only the base station 10 is equippedwith a pressure sensor 10M, i.e., the cleaning device 30 does not have apressure sensor, since this is not necessary for the proposed method, aswill be explained in more detail below.

As already explained at the beginning, the pressure sensor 10M isdesigned as an absolute pressure sensor or differential pressuresensor/relative pressure sensor and/or is designed to measure theabsolute pressure and/or the relative pressure or the differentialpressure to the environment/surroundings at the measuring locationand/or in the outlet line 10J.

Consequently, the pressure sensor 10M is preferably designed to measurethe pressure compared to vacuum as a reference (absolute pressure) orthe pressure compared to the (prevailing) atmospheric air pressure as areference (differential pressure to the environment/surroundings) at themeasuring point.

The pressure sensor 10M is preferably electrically connected to thecontrol device 10S, the data processing device 10R and/or thecommunication device 10K, in particular to process and/or evaluate themeasured values and/or to transmit the measured (or processed/evaluated)values to the cleaning device 30 and/or another device.

In the following, the proposed method for operating the base station 10or the cleaning system 1 is described in more detail with reference toFIG. 3 .

The proposed method is preferably carried out by means of the cleaningsystem 1 or the base station 10, in particular the pressure sensor 10M,the data processing device 10R, the control device 10S and/or the blower50J.

In the proposed method for operating the base station 10 or the cleaningsystem 1, it is provided to determine the filling level of the container50G and/or the collection filter 50H during an extraction process and/orwhen the blower 50J is switched on, in particular (exclusively) by oneor more pressure measurements in the base station 10, particularlypreferably downstream of the container 50G and/or the collection filter50H and/or the blower 50J and/or in the outlet line 10J, as will beexplained in more detail below.

The method is preferably multi-stage or multi-step. In particular, themethod has a plurality of method steps.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic flow diagram of the proposed method with aplurality of method steps, in particular a plurality ofprocesses/operations, branches and inputs/outputs, wherein theindividual method steps can basically be carried out independently ofone another, unless otherwise explained below.

The method is preferably initiated by connecting or docking the cleaningdevice 20, 30 to the base station 10.

Preferably, in a first method step/process A1, the cleaning device 20,30 is fluidically connected to the base station 10—in particularmanually or self-actingly or automatically — in order to perform anextraction process and/or to suck vacuumed material from the cleaningdevice 20, 30 into the container 50G and/or the collection filter 50H.However, it is also possible in principle to carry out the proposedmethod without a connected cleaning device 20, 30 and/or exclusivelywith the base station 10.

Preferably, it is checked—initially or in a further method step or bymeans of a first branching D1—whether the base station 10 or theoperation of the base station 10 is locked/blocked/disabled. In themethod, it is namely preferably provided that the operation of the basestation 10 is automatically locked/blocked/disabled when a(fixed/defined) maximum number i_(max) of extraction processes with thecontainer 50G and/or the collection filter 50H in a predefined fillinglevel is reached without (intermediate) emptying of the container 50Gand/or without (intermediate) changing of the collection filter 50H, aswill be explained in more detail below.

In the event that the base station 10 is locked, the user is notified orinformed that the container 50G must be emptied and/or the collectionfilter 50H must be changed, in particular by means of a correspondingoutput/message U4.

In particular, if the base station 10 is not locked, then—if thepressure sensor 10M is designed as an absolute pressure sensor—theambient pressure/atmospheric air pressure is first or in a further orsecond method step/process A2 measured by means of the pressure sensor10M and/or in the outlet line 10J and is (electronically) stored,preferably before starting the extraction process and/or activating theblower 50J.

Namely, when the blower 50J is deactivated, the pressure in the basestation 10, in particular in the outlet line 10J, corresponds to theambient pressure/atmospheric air pressure, so that the pressure sensor10M can directly measure the ambient pressure/atmospheric air pressure.

Subsequently and/or in a further method step/process A3, the blower 50Jis preferably (automatically) activated and/or the extraction process isstarted.

Subsequently and/or in a further method step/process A4, in particularimmediately after the start of the extraction process, a (new/further)pressure measurement is preferably carried out by means of the pressuresensor 10M and/or the differential pressure to the surroundingsdownstream to the container 50G and/or the collection filter 50H and/orthe blower 50J and/or in the outlet line 10J is determined.

Preferably, the absolute pressure is measured by means of a(new/further) pressure measurement during the extraction process and/orwith the blower 50J switched on and in particular by means of the dataprocessing device 10R the differential pressure with respect to thesurroundings is determined/calculated.

To determine the differential pressure with respect to the surroundings,preferably the (absolute) difference is formed between the (static)ambient pressure measured before the extraction process and thepressure, in particular the static and/or dynamic pressure, measuredduring the extraction process and/or with the blower 50J switched on,preferably the difference being formed by means of the data processingdevice 10R.

In this way, the differential pressure to the surroundings iscalculated/measured and preferably subsequently (electronically) stored,for example in a memory of the data processing device 10R.

However, it is also possible that the differential pressure to theenvironment/surroundings is measured directly by means of the pressuresensor 10M during the extraction process or with activated blower 50J,in particular if the pressure sensor 10M is designed as a differentialpressure sensor.

As explained at the beginning, the differential pressure to theenvironment/surroundings correlates with the filling level of thecontainer 50G and/or of the collection filter 50H.

When the container 50G and/or the collection filter 50H fills withvacuumed material, the flow resistance increases so that the blower 50J(at the same blower power) builds up a reduced pressure, in particularstatic and/or dynamic pressure, compared to an empty container 50Gand/or an empty collection filter 50H.

To determine the filling level, the measured and/or determineddifferential pressure is compared with a threshold/limit value,preferably by means of the data processing device 10R. If the measuredand/or determined differential pressure reaches or falls below the limitvalue, the container 50G and/or the collection filter 50H is full ornearly full, for example 80% or 90% full, and/or the predeterminedfilling level has been reached.

The corresponding limit value and/or the relationship between thedifferential pressure and the filling level is preferably determinedexperimentally and/or empirically and is preferably stored or savedelectronically, for example in the data processing device 10R.

It is preferred that the determined differential pressure is comparedwith a plurality of—in particular empirically determined and/orelectronically stored—limit values and/or is assigned to differentpressure ranges in order to determine or identify the filling level ofthe container 50G and/or the collection filter 50H and/or additionallyat least one further state/condition/fault or failure/malfunction of thebase station 10.

Preferably, the container 50G and/or the collection filter 50H is fullor nearly full, for example 80% or 90% full, and/or the predefined filllevel is reached when the differential pressure is less than 2 hPa, inparticular less than 1.5 hPa, and/or is in the range of 1 hPa to 2 hPa.

Preferably, the container 50G and/or the collection filter 50H ispartially filled, in particular less than 80% filled, when thedifferential pressure is more than 2 hPa, in particular more than 2.5hPa, and/or less than 5 hPa, in particular less than 4 hPa.

Preferably, the container 50G and/or the collection filter 50H is emptyand/or less than 20% full when the differential pressure is more than 5hPa, in particular more than 6 hPa, and/or less than 7 hPa, inparticular less than 6.5 hPa.

Preferably, it is checked—by means of a second and/or further branchingD2 and/or by means of the data processing device 10R—whether thecontainer 50G and/or the collection filter 50H is full or almost fulland/or the predefined filling level has been reached. For this purpose,it is provided that the differential pressure is compared with the limitvalue which corresponds to the predefined filling level and/or has beendefined as value for an imminent emptying of the container 50G and/or anecessary change of the collection filter 50H and/or the reaching ofwhich limits the number of still possible extraction processes, as willbe explained in more detail below.

Preferably—subsequently and/or by means of a further branching D3 and/orby means of the data processing unit 10R—it is checked whether a faultor malfunction is present. In particular, at least one furtherstate/condition of the base station 10 is determined on the basis of thedifferential pressure and/or by means of the pressure sensor 10M inaddition to the filling level determination.

In particular, the determined differential pressure is also used todetermine or detect a (further) state/condition/fault or malfunction ofthe base station 10 or individual components of the base station 10.

In fact, it has been found that certain faults or malfunctions have aneffect on the differential pressure, so that based on the differentialpressure (also) further state/conditions/faults of the base station 10can be reliably detected or determined, as will be explained in moredetail below.

If the maximum or predefined filling level has not yet been reachedand/or there is no fault/error or malfunction, the extraction process iscontinued or completed.

Preferably, the extraction process is carried out for a specific orpredefined period of time, for example 10 or 20 seconds.

Subsequently, the extraction process is terminated by deactivating theblower 50J in a further method step/process A6.

A user is preferably notified or indicated when the extraction processis completed, preferably by means of an output/message U1.

If the maximum and/or predefined filling level is reached and/or ifthere is a fault or malfunction, the extraction process is preferablyaborted (prematurely).

According to a preferred method variant, when the predefined fillinglevel is reached or exceeded (for the first time) and/or when acorresponding limit value is reached or undershot, the maximum numberi_(max) of still possible extraction processes by means of the basestation 10 without (intermediate/interim) emptying of the container 50Gand/or without (intermediate/interim) changing of the collection filter50H is limited.

Particularly preferably, a maximum of six or five further extractionprocesses are possible without emptying the container 50G and/orchanging the collection filter 50H when the predefined filling level hasbeen reached and/or a corresponding limit value has been reached orfallen below.

When the predefined filling level is reached/exceeded and/or when acorresponding limit value for the differential pressure isreached/undershot/fallen short of, it is preferably checked—subsequentlyand/or in a further method step and/or by means of a further branchingD4—whether the maximum number i_(max) of extraction processes hasalready been reached.

For this purpose, the base station 10, in particular the data processingdevice 10R, has an internal (electronic) counter corresponding to thenumber i of (started) extraction processes without (interim) emptyingthe container 50G and/or without (interim) changing the collectionfilter 50H. In particular, it is provided in the method that the countercounts the number i of extraction processes after the predefined fillinglevel has been reached or exceeded for the first time without emptyingthe container 50G and/or changing the collection filter 50H.

If the maximum number i_(max) has not been reached, the counter ispreferably incremented by one value subsequently and/or in a furthermethod step/process A7.

In this case, the extraction process is continued or carried outcompletely and completed in a further method step/process A8, inparticular by deactivating the blower 50J.

The full/successful completion of the extraction process is preferablydisplayed or communicated to a user, in particular by means of anoutput/message U2.

If the maximum number i_(max) of extraction processes with the container50G and/or the collection filter 50H in the predefined filling state hasbeen reached, the extraction process is aborted in a further methodstep/process A9 and/or the operation of the base station 10 isdisabled/blocked/locked.

Preferably, the reaching of the maximum number i_(max) of extractionprocesses with the container 50G and/or the collection filter 50H in thepredefined filling state is indicated or communicated to a user,preferably by means of a corresponding output/message U3.

In this case, the user is preferably prompted to empty the container 50Gand/or to change the collection filter 50H, in particular by means ofthe output/message U3.

It is preferred that a new extraction process is only carried out by auser input and/or that the base station 10 is only unlocked by a userinput.

For this purpose, it is checked—in particular in a further method stepand/or by means of a further branching D5—whether there is acorresponding confirmation by the user.

If the user does not confirm that the container 50G has been emptiedand/or the collection filter 50H has been changed, preferably in afurther method step/process A10 the operation of the base station 10 isstopped.

When the user's confirmation/release has been received, preferably in afurther method step/process A11 the base station 10 is unlocked and themethod can be started again from the beginning, optionally (again)measuring the ambient pressure, starting a (new) extraction process anddetermining the differential pressure, as already explained.

Thus, it is preferably checked and/or verified whether the container 50Ghas actually been emptied and/or the collection filter 50H has actuallybeen changed.

If the check and/or verification shows that the container 50G hasactually been emptied and/or the collection filter 50H has actually beenchanged, the counter is preferably reset or set to zero, preferably in afurther method step/process A5.

Thus, in the proposed method, it is provided to prevent the permanentoperation of the base station 10 with filled container 50G and/orcollection filter 50H. In this way, it is ensured that the cleaningdevice 20, 30 is always completely sucked out, so that the operationalcapability of the cleaning system 1 is maintained.

In addition, the user is informed at an early stage of the need to emptythe container 50G and/or change the collection filter 50H, without theoperation of the base station 10 being stopped immediately when thepredefined filling level is reached or exceeded for the first time.

As already explained, it is checked by means of the data processingdevice 10R—in particular immediately after the start of the extractionprocess—whether a fault, error or malfunction is present. In particular,(exclusively) on the basis of the determined differential pressureand/or by means of the pressure sensor 10M, at least one furtherstate/condition of the base station 10 is additionally determined and/ora fault of the base station 10 is detected.

Namely, the differential pressure to the surroundings/environmentcorrelates not only with the filling level of the container 50G and/orthe collection filter 50H, but also with otherstates/faults/errors/malfunctions of the base station 10.

To determine the further state, in particular to detect a fault, themeasured and/or determined differential pressure is compared with atleast one threshold/limit value, preferably by means of the dataprocessing device 10R. If the measured and/or determined differentialpressure reaches, falls below or exceeds the limit value, the furtherstate, in particular a fault or a malfunction of the base station 10, ispresent.

The corresponding limit value and/or the relationship between thedifferential pressure and the state/fault is preferably determinedexperimentally and/or empirically and preferably stored or savedelectronically, for example in the data processing device 10R.

It is preferred that the determined differential pressure is comparedwith a plurality of—in particular empirically determined and/orelectronically stored—limit values and/or assigned to different pressureranges in order to determine or identify the filling level of thecontainer 50G and/or the collection filter 50H and/or additionally atleast one further state/fault or malfunction of the base station 10.

The determination and/or identification of the further state/fault or ofa malfunction is preferably carried out sequentially and/or after thedetermination of the filling level of the container 50G and/or thecollection filter 50H, as shown by branching D3 in FIG. 3 . However, itis also possible that the determination and/or identification of thefurther state/fault or of a malfunction takes place in parallel orsimultaneously with the determination of the filling level of thecontainer 50G and/or of the collection filter 50H, for example ifindependent control sequences are provided for this purpose, which areexecuted simultaneously or in parallel.

The (mathematical) relationships, equations, tables, diagrams and/orlimit values for determining the filling level and/or furtherstates/conditions of the base station 10, in particular foridentifying/detecting malfunctions of the base station 10, arepreferably stored or saved electronically—for example as functionalequations or tables—in the data processing device 10R, particularlypreferably a memory of the data processing device 10R.

Preferably, by means of the differential pressure, it is determined as afurther state of the base station 10 whether the intake tract of thebase station 10 is clogged. If the intake tract of the base station 10is clogged, the (determined) differential pressure to thesurroundings/environment is zero or nearly zero and/or the differentialpressure is less than 1 hPa.

In a particularly preferred method variant, the differential pressure isdetermined both during an extraction process and/or with cleaning device20, 30 connected and/or with blower 50J activated and additionallybefore and/or after an extraction process and/or with cleaning device20, 30 separated from the base station 10, but with blower 50Jactivated, in order to localize the clogging/blockage and/or assign itto the cleaning device 20, 30 or the base station 10.

In particular, it is possible that after identification of aclogging/blockage, the cleaning device 20, 30 is manually orautomatically fluidically disconnected from the base station 10 andsubsequently a new pressure measurement is carried out with the blower50J activated. If the determined differential pressure is zero or nearlyzero and/or the determined differential pressure is (still) less than 1hPa, a clogging/blockage is present in the base station 10. However, ifthe determined differential pressure is increased compared to thedifferential pressure with the cleaning device 20, 30 connected and/orif the determined differential pressure is more than 1 hPa, aclogging/blockage is present in the cleaning device 20, 30.

Additionally or alternatively, it can be determined or detected by meansof the differential pressure as a further state/fault of the basestation 10 whether the outlet filter 50K is not inserted or not insertedcorrectly.

If the outlet filter 50K is not inserted or not inserted correctly, onlya reduced pressure, in particular static and/or dynamic pressure, andthus a reduced differential pressure can be generated compared to thefault-free state due to the lower flow resistance.

It is also possible to determine by means of the differential pressureas a further state/fault of the base station 10 whether the collectionfilter 50H is not or not correctly inserted in the container 50G,whether the container 50G or the flap 10D is not or not completelyclosed and/or whether the cleaning device 20, 30 is not or not correctlyconnected.

If the collection filter 50H is not or not correctly inserted into thecontainer 50G, the flap 10D is not or not completely closed and/or thecleaning device 20, 30 is not or not correctly connected, a lower flowresistance has to be overcome compared to the fault-free state due tothe air flowing past and/or the additional air flowing in, so that anincreased pressure, in particular static and/or dynamic pressure, andthus an increased differential pressure is generated by means of theblower 50J (with constant blower power) compared to the fault-freestate.

If the (determined) differential pressure is greater than 8 hPa and/orthe (determined) differential pressure is in the range between 8 hPa and10 hPa, the collection filter 50H is not or not correctly inserted, theflap 10D is not or not completely closed and/or the cleaning device 20,30 is not or not correctly connected.

By means of the proposed method, it is thus possible, with only onepressure sensor 10M and/or only one differential pressure measurement,not only to determine the filling level of the container 50G and/or ofthe collection filter 50H, but also to reliably identify furtherstates/conditions/faults/errors/malfunctions of the base station 10.

Preferably, the extraction process is automatically interrupteddepending on the determined state, in particular upon identification ofa state/condition/fault, preferably in a further method step/processA12.

The identified state/condition/fault and/or the interruption of theextraction process is preferably communicated or indicated to a user, inparticular by means of a corresponding output/message U5.

Individual aspects, features, method steps and method variants of thepresent technology can be implemented independently, but also in anycombination and/or sequence.

In particular, the present technology relates also to any one of thefollowing aspects which can be realized independently or in anycombination, also in combination with any aspects described herein.

1. Method of operating a base station 10 for a cleaning device 20, 30,

wherein the base station 10 is adapted to suck vacuumed material fromthe cleaning device 20, 30 into a container 50G of the base station 10during an extraction process, and

wherein the differential pressure to the surroundings downstream to thecontainer 50G is determined by means of a pressure sensor 10M of thebase station 10 to determine the filling level of the container 50G,

characterized

in that the filling level of the container 50G as a state of the basestation 10 and additionally a further state of the base station 10 aredetermined exclusively by means of the differential pressure, and/or

in that when a predefined filling level is reached, the maximum numberof extraction processes still possible without emptying the container50G is limited.

2. Method according to aspect 1, characterized in that the absolutepressure downstream to the container 50G is measured by means of thepressure sensor 10M before and during the extraction process todetermine the differential pressure to the surroundings, or in that thedifferential pressure to the surroundings is measured directly by meansof the pressure sensor 10M.

3. Method according to aspect 1 or 2, characterized in that thedifferential pressure is compared with a limit value to determine thefilling level of the container 50G and/or the further state of the basestation 10.

4. Method according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized inthat exclusively by means of the pressure sensor 10M and/or thedifferential pressure it is determined as a further state of the basestation 10 whether an intake tract of the base station 10 is clogged.

5. Method according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized inthat during an extraction process and/or with connected cleaning device20, 30 and additionally before or after an extraction process and/orwithout connected cleaning device 20, 30, the differential pressure isdetermined by means of the pressure sensor 10M in order to locate ablockage.

6. Method according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized inthat exclusively by means of the pressure sensor 10M and/or thedifferential pressure it is determined as a further state of the basestation 10 whether an outlet filter 50K downstream of the pressuresensor 10M is not or not correctly inserted.

7. Method according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized inthat exclusively by means of the pressure sensor 10M and/or thedifferential pressure it is determined as a further state of the basestation 10 whether a collection filter 50H is not or not correctlyinserted in the container 50G and/or whether the container 50G is notclosed.

8. Method according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized inthat exclusively by means of the pressure sensor 10M and/or thedifferential pressure it is determined as a further state of the basestation 10 whether the cleaning device 20, 30 is not or not correctlyconnected to the base station 10.

9. Method according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized inthat the extraction process is automatically interrupted and/or theoperation of the base station 10 is automatically blocked depending onthe determined state, in particular upon identification of a state ofthe base station 10.

10. Method according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized inthat the operation of the base station 10 is automatically blocked whenthe maximum number of extraction processes with the container 50G in thepredefined filling level without emptying the container 50G is reached.

11. Method according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized inthat a user is notified of the identified state and/or the reaching ofthe predefined filling level.

12. Method according to one of the preceding aspects, characterized inthat, depending on the determined state, in particular uponidentification of a state of the base station 10 and/or upon reachingthe maximum number of extraction processes with the container 50G in thepredefined filling level, a new extraction process is performed only bya user input.

13. Method according to aspect 12, characterized in that after the userinput it is checked by means of the pressure sensor 10M whether thecontainer 50G has been emptied.

14. Method according to aspect 13, characterized in that the operationof the base station 10 is automatically blocked again if the container50G has not been emptied.

15. Method according to aspect 13 or 14, characterized in that theextraction process is carried out completely when the container 50G hasbeen emptied.

List of reference signs:  1 Cleaning System  2 Wall  3 Floor 10 BaseStation 10A Power Supply Unit 10B Power Connection 10C Holder 10D Flap10E Shut-off Apparatus 10G Feed/Supply/Inlet Line 10H Blower/Fan Line10J Outlet Line 10K Communication Device 10L Outlet Opening 10M Pressuresensor 10N First Connection Line 10P Second Connection Line 10R DataProcessing Device 10S Control Device 20 First Cleaning Device 20AAccumulator 20C Chamber 20E Electrical Connection 30 Second CleaningDevice 30A Accumulator 30B Intake/Suction Opening 30C Chamber 30DIntake/Suction Line 30E Electrical Connection 30F Fluidic Connection 30GFeed/Supply/Inlet Line 30H Connecting Line 30J Blower/Fan 30KCommunication Apparatus 30L Outlet Line 30N Outlet Opening 30PExtraction/Emptying line 30Q Extraction/Emptying valve 30R DataProcessing Apparatus 30S Control Apparatus 40 Bottom Module 40AReceiving Space 40B Foot Part 40E Electrical Connection 40F FluidicConnection 50 Head Module 50A Housing 50C Front Side 50E ElectricalConnection 50F Fluidic Connection 50G Container 50H Collection Filter50J Blower/Fan 50K Outlet filter A1-12 Method Steps D1-5 Branching U1-5Inputs/outputs i Number of extraction processes i_(max) Maximum numberof extraction processes

What is claimed is:
 1. Method of operating a base station for a cleaningdevice, wherein the base station is adapted to suck vacuumed materialfrom the cleaning device into a container of the base station during anextraction process, the method comprising: determining the differentialpressure to the surroundings downstream to the container by means of apressure sensor of the base station to determine the filling level ofthe container, and determining the filling level of the container as astate of the base station and additionally a further state of the basestation exclusively by means of the differential pressure.
 2. Methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the absolute pressure downstream to thecontainer is measured by means of the pressure sensor before and duringthe extraction process to determine the differential pressure to thesurroundings.
 3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the differentialpressure to the surroundings is measured directly by means of thepressure sensor.
 4. Method according to claim 1, wherein thedifferential pressure is compared with a limit value to determine thefilling level of the container and/or the further state of the basestation.
 5. Method according to claim 1, wherein exclusively by means ofthe pressure sensor and/or the differential pressure it is determined asa further state of the base station whether an intake tract of the basestation is clogged.
 6. Method according to claim 1, wherein during anextraction process and/or with connected cleaning device andadditionally before or after an extraction process and/or withoutconnected cleaning device, the differential pressure is determined bymeans of the pressure sensor in order to locate a blockage.
 7. Methodaccording to claim 1, wherein exclusively by means of the pressuresensor and/or the differential pressure it is determined as a furtherstate of the base station whether an outlet filter (50K) downstream ofthe pressure sensor is not or not correctly inserted.
 8. Methodaccording to claim 1, wherein exclusively by means of the pressuresensor and/or the differential pressure it is determined as a furtherstate of the base station whether a collection filter (50H) is not ornot correctly inserted in the container and/or whether the container isnot closed.
 9. Method according to claim 1, wherein exclusively by meansof the pressure sensor and/or the differential pressure it is determinedas a further state of the base station whether the cleaning device isnot or not correctly connected to the base station.
 10. Method accordingto claim 1, wherein the extraction process is automatically interruptedand/or the operation of the base station is automatically blockeddepending on the determined state.
 11. Method according to claim 1,wherein a user is notified of the identified state.
 12. Method accordingto claim 1, wherein, depending on the determined state, a new extractionprocess is performed only by a user input.
 13. Method according to claim1, wherein, when a predefined filling level is reached, the maximumnumber of extraction processes still possible without emptying thecontainer is limited.
 14. Method of operating a base station for acleaning device, wherein the base station is adapted to suck vacuumedmaterial from the cleaning device into a container of the base stationduring an extraction process, the method comprising: determining thedifferential pressure to the surroundings downstream to the container bymeans of a pressure sensor of the base station to determine the fillinglevel of the container, and when a predefined filling level is reached,limiting the maximum number of extraction processes still possiblewithout emptying the container.
 15. Method according to claim 14,wherein the absolute pressure downstream to the container is measured bymeans of the pressure sensor before and during the extraction process todetermine the differential pressure to the surroundings.
 16. Methodaccording to claim 14, wherein the differential pressure to thesurroundings is measured directly by means of the pressure sensor. 17.Method according to claim 14, wherein the differential pressure iscompared with a limit value to determine the filling level of thecontainer and/or the further state of the base station.
 18. Methodaccording to claim 14, wherein the operation of the base station isautomatically blocked when the maximum number of extraction processeswith the container in the predefined filling level without emptying thecontainer is reached.
 19. Method according to claim 14, wherein a useris notified of the reaching of the predefined filling level.
 20. Methodaccording to claim 14, wherein, upon reaching the maximum number ofextraction processes with the container in the predefined filling level,a new extraction process is performed only by a user input.
 21. Methodaccording to claim 20, wherein after the user input it is checked bymeans of the pressure sensor whether the container has been emptied. 22.Method according to claim 21, wherein the operation of the base stationis automatically blocked again if the container has not been emptied.23. Method according to claim 21 wherein, the extraction process iscarried out completely when the container has been emptied.